AH4252 Art History and Environmental Crisis

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

tba

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr A J Rider

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Alistair Rider

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The current climate crisis requires us to rethink our relationship to the planet, and, in turn, to reassess many cherished cultural and historical narratives. This module provides an opportunity to reflect on how art history might be written in the light of these rapidly changing circumstances. We will discuss a range of recent ecocritical interpretations of art, while also considering significant environmental topics, including ecology, the Anthropocene, extinction, trans-corporeality, critical animal studies and ecofeminism. Equipped with these resources, you will complete your own ecocritical research project in an art-historical field of your choosing.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS AH1001 OR PASS AH1003 AND PASS AH2001 AND PASS AH2002

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 x lecture (x11 weeks); 1 x seminar (x11 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

33

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

267

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • By the end of the module, students will be able to articulate how climate change is prompting a reassessment of art, culture and history
  • By the end of the module, students will be able to engage with abstract, theoretical arguments, and apply these arguments to particular cases and circumstances appropriately
  • By the end of the module, students will be able to participate in group discussion, and learn to listen and respond in a mutually beneficial fashion
  • By the end of the module, students will be able to formulate, research and realise an independent research project within a designated timeframe

Awards

Golden Dandelion Award for excellence in Education for Sustainable Development

This module exhibits an excellent method to embed sustainability within other learning: by focussing a project around reporting on St Andrews’ sustainability effort, it both meets the module goals of teaching communication and listening in academic contexts, and exposes students to real-world issues in sustainability. This module has been awarded the Golden Dandelion Award in 2022.

You can find out about all Golden Dandelion modules